Richard Madden and George R.R. Martin during the filming of the pilot episode.

Richard Madden (born 18 June 1986) is a Scottish actor and model. He is best known for his appearance in the short-lived 2009 series Hope Springs and his role as real-life musician Kirk Brandon in Worried About the Boy, a dramatisation of the life of Boy George. In 2011 he had a leading role in the British comedy-drama series Sirens, playing gay paramedic Ashley Greenwick. In 2012 he appeared in the BBC adaptation of Birdsong as World War I officer Captain Weir.

He stars in HBO's Game of Thrones as Robb Stark. He was announced in the role on 20 August 2009. During filming of the pilot he won the "Best-Dressed Man in Scotland 2009" Award, but was unable to attend the ceremony due to his workload. He was part of the initial starring cast and remains a member of the starring cast for the second and third seasons.

Madden intentionally only read the novels that corresponded to the current season, i.e. he only read the second novel after Season 1 ended, to prepare for Season 2. Madden was aware from the very beginning, however, that Robb Stark dies in the third novel, because other people spoiled it for him very early on.[1]